A dog’s mental ability is similar to that of a human child approximately two years old, according to the American Psychological Association. And while their intelligence differs depending on the breed of dog, their individual personality and how they’re raised or trained, most dogs can understand more than 150 words and have a basic understanding of arithmetic, according to canine researcher Stanley Coren.

I do agree with Coren that my little hound can deceive me during a game of fetch the stuffed bunny, and figure out how to undue a latch. Beagles are super smart and are known for the Houdini skills to undue fence latches, and grab a piece of meat off the table when no one is looking. My sweet girl also knows when its time to turn on that hound charm, and get an extra treat, or toy from me at the store.

Remember our dogs can read our body language. For example when your getting ready to go to the store, you use certain body movements. My beagle knows that before I go to the store, I put on my shoes first, and get my keys. So she grabs the keys and runs. After a while I learned I had to change up my routine for going to the store. My beagle is too smart for that. And figured out that I got my keys first, instead of last. So I ended up on a mission impossible run for the keys.

I learned to do something different. Click and train my beagle to bring my keys before I go to the store. Took a while but its a much better experience than going on a search and find my keys quest. Candy is smart that way. Dogs are smart and they know we are creatures of habbit, and they can read our body language. Its best for us to just use our beagle’s mischievous nature, to our advantage. That is one way to outsmart your beagle!